Experience Maropeng online

August 18, 2011 – Laura Maggs

Did you know that Maropeng offers a host of easily accessible free online learning resources?

Transforming learning into a fun and exciting experience can prove a real challenge these days. Escaping the confines of a classroom and keeping learners engaged and passionate about their studies is becoming more and more difficult.

Although there’s little to beat a trip to Maropeng, to wander around the exhibition, explore the Sterkfontein Caves or take a guided tour, you can also access an abundance of online learning material based on the Maropeng experience.

A wealth of information is available to you in the form of online exhibition guides for both the Maropeng and Sterkfontein Caves visitor centres; it is free of charge and easy to navigate.

Says Maropeng’s education and marketing executive, Magel van de Venter: “Teachers can view the website to find information directly linked to the South African school curriculum. They can learn more about important issues such as sustainability. The information can be used in many different school subjects and there are lesson plans available as well.”

Exhibition guides online

The exhibition guides are rich in information about the Cradle of Humankind, the history and evolution of our planet, the development of humans and our impact on the environment. The guides include comprehensive written summaries of all the information on display at the exhibitions, as well as links to further reading material – perfect for school projects and classroom exercises.

Did you know the Sterkfontein Caves were discovered by an Italian in search of gold? Or that “Little Foot”, the fossilised skeleton of an early form of Australopithecus, is between 4.1-million and 3.3-million years old?

Learn more about James Lovelock’s Gaia principle and discover that humans are quite a recent addition to an ancient and complex planetary system that we seem to think exists for our benefit alone.

Ever wondered why humans are inspired to paint, sing and dance? Read all about the origins of human communication and creativity, and begin to understand the complexity of the human brain.

Delve into sustainability, diversity, your ecological footprint and lots more – all at the click of a mouse.

The Maropeng site is also constantly updated with interesting news stories to read and discuss in class. The stories delve into many diverse topics, and provide food for thought and commentary on a number of relevant issues.

Harry the Hominid on Facebook and Twitter

You can now follow Maropeng’s ambassador, Harry the Hominid, on Twitter, as well as interact with Maropeng on Facebook.

Make friends with your favourite hominid, who has his very own Facebook profile page and loves keeping you updated with Maropeng news and events. Visit the official Maropeng Facebook page, regularly updated by Harry with links to the Maropeng website and news of exciting competitions. Harry’s collection of cool profile pictures is also worth keeping an eye out for.

Harry is also Twitter-savvy and has a growing number of followers. Harry tweets to more than 700 twitter followers about issues such as education, science, environmental issues and tourism. Follow him and always be the first to know about upcoming events and competitions at Maropeng. Harry is always checking his profile and Twitter feeds, so be sure to say hi or share your own news with him!

There are also helpful resources to be found on YouTube and Flickr. Spice up a lesson or school project with a video or two sourced from Maropeng’s YouTube account, covering topics such as, “What do dinosaur fossils look like?” and “How to dig for stone tools”.

If you need photos for a school project or presentation and don’t have time to visit Harry at Maropeng, visit the Maropeng Flickr group, which has numerous photographs of the Sterkfontein Caves and the exhibition displays, including the history of evolution’s cast of characters.

Teachers can also visit Maropeng’s website and download free educational resource packs covering a variety of school subjects. The resource packs are aimed at grade 10, 11 and 12 learners and are a great source of inspiration for teachers.

With a spread of information at your fingertips, Maropeng will quickly become any teacher’s and learner’s new best friend.

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